The conviction of senator Rod Wright made an impression on other senators and assemblyman. Senator Wright was convicted by a jury for crimes relating to where his actual residence was when he ran and served his term. A bill that was just signed into law by Governor Brown enables candidates in the future to ask an elections official to withhold their residence address on the candidate statement. This, of course, will make it a lot harder for citizens to sniff out a candidate or serving official who is not actually living in his district. The law allows "an election official" the discretion to withhold that information, meaning there is no statewide standard, and neither is there any reference to any reason being made public.

this is bad, bad public policy. Candidates are very public people. they represent all of their constituency, and basically live in glass houses, not literally, but figuratively. In a very few cases, it is slightly understandable. A judge for instance. But the legislature made reference to a crime victim who runs for office in their quest to pass this law. Why would a crime victim who wants privacy run for office in which every detail of their lives is exposed during a contested race? It seems ridiculous and further raises suspicions about true motives of the legislature. they wish to prevent another Rod Wright incident.

the law gives the discretion to elections officials, and that means we'll see a lot more empty spaces on candidate statements in the coming elections. This legislature is one of the most restrictive of public records I've seen in decades. The only thing reminiscent of sunshine on this current legislative bunch is the tans they get while vacationing. Everything else is dark.

(b) At the discretion of the elections official,a candidate for a judicial office, or a candidate for any office whose voter registration information is confidential under Section 2166, 2166.5, or 2166.7, may withhold his or her residence address from the declaration of candidacy. If a candidate does not state his or her residence address on the declaration of candidacy, the elections official shall verify whether the candidate’s address is within the appropriate political subdivision and add the notation “verified” where appropriate on the declaration.